Mindful that many people are struggling to afford groceries and items of personal care this Christmas, Dorset Chamber is inviting businesses to support its Festive Food Bank campaign.

Donations are in aid of Faithworks, a Dorset charity that works alongside people through times of crisis, practically building hope and resilience.

The charity supports people affected by homelessness, food poverty, debt, addiction, and lone parenting.

Through its Food Bank+ in Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne and Blandford, it offers help for those struggling to pay for food and personal care supplies.

To get involved, businesses are invited to bring donations to Dorset Chamber’s Christmas Lunch on 1 December or deliver them to its office.

From there they will be distributed via the Faithworks network to local hard-pressed individuals and families.

Donations can include – for the food bank – coffee and sugar, jam, tinned soup, squash and semi-skimmed UHT milk.

And for Help for Homeless – toiletries especially toothpaste, new underwear (small and medium for male and female) and new socks.

Ian Girling, chief executive at Dorset Chamber said: “No family or individual should be without the essentials of food, clothing or personal care at any time of year, let alone at Christmas.

“Our mission at Dorset Chamber is to enable better lives through business so if we can make a difference, we want to help.

“Dorset Chamber members are incredibly generous, so we’re hoping to see some great donations through the Festive Foodbank at our Christmas lunch event and throughout December.

“Even if it’s just a pair of socks or a tin of soup, it all counts.”

Alistair Doxat-Purser, chief executive officer at Faithworks, said: “We, here at Faithworks, love it when business and community work together to bring practical hope to those who need it most.

“In these challenging times, Dorset Chamber’s idea of collecting food, toiletries and underwear for those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity is both simple and a great idea that others might follow – a perfect example of ‘collaboration for good’.

“As members of the Access to Food and Homelessness partnerships locally, we’re so grateful to all who support their local community food setting.

“Check out the online BCP Access to Food Map or download the BanktheFood app. It all helps.”

Businesses are encouraged to consider the idea of a ‘reverse advent calendar’.

Instead of opening a door and eating a chocolate each day, they can donate to the Festive Foodbank and send it to Dorset Chamber.

The Dorset Chamber Christmas lunch is at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth at 12pm on 1 December.

Alternatively, donations should be delivered to the Dorset Chamber office in Ling Road, near Tower Park, in Poole, by December 14 so they can be distributed over the Christmas period.

Funds can also be donated directly to Faithworks at https://faithworks.churchsuite.com/donate/ or to the Homelessness Partnership at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/changeforgoodBournemouth.